How complex of a DIY job would this be? I am pretty good with DIY jobs, have never done internal motor work & havent worked on my 850 much yet. But I have a warped head & bad head gasket. I dont want to pay the dealer on this.
If I try it myself, what are the hard parts I should know in advance? Things that intimidate me are precision aligned things (like clutch & trans work, I will not try) but I can turn wrenches all day. Aside from moving things to get it off, are there things to fear about the job? Is there special tools needed? Or any impossible to reach vacuum lines or something?

Thanks in advance..

 

so you have a new Head and a new head gasket? You will need a bunch more gaskets to complete this job. Not that complex of a job, you'll need a torque wrench for sure,

If you decide to do this make sure you get all the parts and research the job thouroughly
other parts you may want to consoder:
-Timing belt, tensioner and related pulleys
-water pump
-new head studs-tune up stuff
-serpentine belt
- + more

check out www.fcpgroton.com for parts, I bout a bunch of stuff from them at great deals

-Mike

 

Don't just consider new head studs - they are essential.

You may also think about obtaining a manual as there is quite a lot of dismantling of other parts to get the head off. You also need to know the sequence for slackening and retightening the head bolts.

 

You will need to mark the Cams really good there is a special tool that is supposed to hold them.
You will need to be Very Careful removing the Cam cover. They are known to crack sometimes.
Check out this site for Tools maybe.(Site on how to make some tools)
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/faq/Spec...rankHolderTool
Remember the 960 is the same style engine.

The job just takes some time.

The engine timing is really CRITICAL.

 

I dont have the head yet, but shouldnt it come with the cam already in it & aligned? I'd be buying a rebuilt one from CylinderHeads.com

 

I doubt it would come with the cams.